India feel hard done by referee

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India, after scoring an inspirational 2-1 win against the 2022 World Cup hosts Qatar in a friendly last week, would have backed themselves to pull off yet another surprise against United Arab Emirates in the first leg of the Asian qualifiers for the 2014 World Cup in Al Ain City.

However, their dream was short-lived as UAE registered a controversial 3-0 win on Saturday night.

Undeniably, referee Banjar Al Doasri was the centre of attention with his dubious decisions. The Qatari referee killed the contest even before it started as India were made to struggle with two men short by the 24th minute.

Defender Debarata Roy was given the marching orders in the 19th minute and four minutes later, goalkeeper Subrata Pal followed suit. Both fouls resulted in penalties, which were were converted without much fuss by Hamdan Al Kamali and Mohamed Al Shehhi in that order.

Debrata went in for an early shower after bringing down Al Shhehi inside the box. It was a pointless tackle by the Indian defender since Subrata had the aerial ball well covered. But a little while later, Subrata’s punishment infuriated the India camp leading to stoppage of play for more than five minutes. Doasri poured salt into the wound by pointing to the dreaded spot.

The Indian team had a case to argue as it was the UAE forward Al Hammadi who ran straight into Subrata.

All goalkeepers reserve the right of admission when it comes to allowing opponents in their base. The Qatari official should have known better. Instead, he flashed a red card on the custodian while letting off a sly Hammadi who had been playacting in a Sergio Busquetsque-manner.

Subsequently, India played for time in the remainder of the first session while the next was all about trying to keep the deficit as narrow as possible.

Understandably, there was hardly any action inside the UAE box as all the nine men in blue jerseys were left defending for the entire second half. It was a superlative effort by Bhangra Boys as they allowed UAE score just once after the early debacle. With nine minutes left on the clock, the inevitable third was added by Al Hammadi.

It was later reported that Subrata was a raging bull in the Indian dressing room and destroyed a fridge. He later denied those allegations. “I was not inside the dressing room when the fridge gave away. I don't know who was responsible,” the goalie was quoted as saying.

India now have the onerous task of beating UAE by a bigger margin in the return leg in New Delhi on July 28. When asked if it was possible, the goalkeeper replied in the positive: “We have a chance of beating UAE 3-0 in the second leg. We’re full of confidence.”

India coach Armando Colaco summed it up well by adding: “Everyone saw the match and can easily make out what is right and what is wrong. The match was evenly poised and we were neck-to-neck before the two penalties were awarded. Subrata’s decision was atrocious. He had the ball in his hand and was protecting it when Hammadi charged him. I know the goalie lifted his leg, but who came charging? Punish him with a yellow card, but not a red card, because he had the ball with him.”